FEB 2010 Longer out than in and first Christmases around the corner...we're 9 months on.

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Shiny new thread, as promised fellow FEBers!

Figured we would start another new one to mark first birthdays, bethlou, so I've held fire on referencing that landmark in this thread title - hope that's okay with y'all!

Anyway, welcome everybody, pull up a comfy chair, someone get the wine out and I'll open a huge box of chocolates for us all to share.

Morning, DS is still asleep knowing that he hasn't woke up all night! Am I mad wanted to do sleep training?! But I'm not counting my chickens and know tonight he'll be back to normal.

He's waking up now. Have a good day

What a long unvoluntary detox for MN! computer still broken but my baby pictures has been saved (not that I can look at them at the moment!)
DH has forgotten is spare laptop at home, so I have been sneaking some over due work and a bit of MN (finished with the urgent stuffs).

DD1 tonsils and adenoids seem saved for now (keeping everything crossed). She is on treatment for allergies (unspecified) and it seems to be doing the trick. She also had 4 courses of antibiotics and a month long treatment for the ensuing thrush on the tonsils.

We are having a real indian summer (with a peak at 27C ) it is going slowly down though, only 16C yesterday!

DD2 is growing fast! 78 cm and 10.3 kg at 9 months. A baby giant but at least her weight is back on the charts. She is very active, and curious about everything, likes to play hide and seek with her sister and is trying to imitate her all the time. At the moment she tries to jump on the bed, on her knees, she is not that advanced that she can jump standing!

I had no real time to catch up with everybody. welcome back for some and nice to have new faces too.

CC loooong ago you asked about slings. My ergo baby carrier is great and stable even with my monster twisting and having both arms out and reaching for things. Very easy to put back in the right position as well if she goes a bit over board. A new one is around 100 dollars, but my was 10 euros second hand and even if faded in good condition after 4 kids.

IC no I don't go to french forums (fora? what the rule in english following the latin plural or the english one?) for mothers. I had DD1 in the UK so I don't have the french 'vocabulary' for child rearing . And all the ones I have found are very frilly and childish more netmums than mumsnet . Also a lot of uninformed scares, and myth too. Just the advice about food is usually quite good.

oops morning naps over!
by and hope to be back soon!

Good news about the photos mamaloco. We had a very similar experience, in fact my new hard drive arrived today. Note to everyone else, back up all the photos if not already done so. Yes I know as a scientist, I should have known better.

DD is the same with almost jumping but in a different way. Standing and bends up and down very fast and excitedly. We had a four hour stretch last nite of sleep from 1-5, it was heaven.

We try and give DD good fruit everyday e.g. orange, fig to help with constipation chinnok as it seems without management she has trouble. She also had long strands of human hair in her nappy today . Will keep on trying to train her to not pull/climb it.

Nite all

Hi mamaloco! So pleased your baby pictures are saved. I lost all my newborn ones of DD when my work laptop broke, and nothing was backed up . Then a few weeks ago I found a camera memory card in a bizarre place, looked at it, and it was full of... newborn baby photos!!! So my babybrain at that time worked in my favour.

mama [sad[ for your DD1 but hope things are on the mend for her now.

I would like to get a sling for DD who is 20lb at 9 months (well, a few weeks ago was 20lb) and I think I will try to get an ergo secondhand.

This thread is so busy (which is great! ) and I am always in such a rush, I can't comment on everyone . DD is due to wake up any minute, aaargh (every time I type that she wakes up so I should stop it). We had a nap battle this morning, our first one of those for a while.

Abs do you think your dogs are jealous of DD? Our (DH's!) dog's behaviour has definitely worsened this year. At first we thought he wasn't bothered by DD's arrival at all. But the last few months he's really played up. I guess she is more of a presence now. What will you do about it? I keep telling DH to make more of a fuss of the dog (I just don't like him - dog, not DH) but the message doesn't seem to be getting through. I wonder why he has the dog most of the time. He says he loves him but he ignores him most of the time.

LBH it sounds like you have cracked it!!! It must have been so hard. Well done. Here's hoping for lots of restful nights in the future for you.

DD's sleeping seems to be getting back on track after her cold... What am I saying... way to jinx it...! She went 1am to 6.30am last night. I couldn't sleep though . I feel your pain IC.

flyingcloud hi! Come back and tell us more! You too stoof!

DD has been on a total solid food strike since her cold which has made me so stressed. I just have to calm down about it as I'm sure she's picking up the stress vibes from me at mealtimes. I am so envious of mothers who can just... feed their babies (solids). I feel it is a battle. I don't want it to be that way .

Scones just quickly as I am still trying to deal with wayward dog issues... Pablo (the one who chased the sheep) has been very moody since DD came along. He has always been feral and chased things but never on such a scale. Since Monday's incident he has been sniffing the air, and I'm now starting to fear for neighbour's cats and other small furry mammals. This morning he chased a fox through a park in London! I feel quite desperate. He is 7 and a half and shows no signs of slowing down. I contacted my vet today who has put me in touch with an animal behaviourist in Chertsey, Surrey, who specialises in livestock issues. We have an appointment next Thursday for a two hour assessment. The centre has tame sheep and they will give me a management plan or at least tell me if he's a lost cause! I have to keep him on a lead until then!! I keep telling me that he is shooting himself in the paw and he's only got himself to blame if I end up rehoming him.... but as a friend of mine said who is going to want a seven year old, delinquent, killing machine?

Anyway, I feel better now that I've made an appointment with sheep school, at least I feel it's a step in the right direction! Why don't you like your DH's dog? and what kind of dog is he? Have you noticed a big change too?

Ooh, she's up, must go... more later

Abs I hope your dog problems can get sorted and I also hope he does not have to be put down. I am not a dog person and must admit my first thought was , what if this had been a child! Or even your child... Slight over-reaction, I know, but please keep him on a lead until you know if he can be trained now he's got the taste for it [ie. hunting down sheep].

Just read the "Mr and Mrs Bonkers" thread in classics... v v funny, thanks for pointing me in the right direction, LittleH

Abs - has he had his - erm - bits snipped...? If not, it might calm him down.

Hi mamaloco, we've missed you! I hope your DD is better soon.
I think strictly speaking in Latin the plural of forum must be fori.... but I reckon forums is common parlance!

scones...poor you, it's infuriating, isn't it?? I had a slightly better night last night, but I'm still taking a while to catch up with DD's improved sleeping patterns. Here's hoping we both get over our own sleep issues ASAP.
Also, the weaning thing... we've had our ups and downs with DD, so can understand your stress if she's not taking anything. I think some babies simply aren't interested for a while and they all get there in the end. But I know how I would feel if my DD was refusing solids... Let's hope her appetite gets up soon.

A 3-hour nap, chinook?! I take it you weren't pushing the pram at the time? Fantastic!

Right, best be off, it's baby nosh time...

Yes BG I am glad to say the dogs are off to kennels for a few days as DD and I are going to Paris on Monday. Our appointment at sheep school is on Thursday, the day after we get back so it will be dealt with! Yes CC he has had his bits snipped (nicely put btw )! and yes he is bilingual... but I've taught him the basics in English otherwise the other one won't respond!

Scones that's great news about your baby pictures! Welcome back Mamaloco! It has been ages!

Chinook my DD gets constipated despite all the fruit she eats. I find potatoes and bananas make her quite constipated too. One of her favourite things are plums stewed in orange juice... that works really well to help move things along. I have to try not to laugh when she's doing a poo though as she pulls the cutest faces!

BG have a great time in Paris. Good luck with the sheep school

mamaloco hiya. Nice to have you back.

scones great news about the pictures

chinook maybe you could try weetabix? It does work for DS or also a stew of broccoli, leeks and lentils, as it contains quite a lot of fibres. 3 hours nap...

I'm puzzled! Nursery has a stock of 10 reusable nappies. Every day I replace the nappies. Today they run out of them so DS was in disposables. I just counted all the nappies and can only find 24, knowing that I have 25!? Tomorrow, when DS is up I'll be investigating the changing bags and laundry basket (and recount them just in case)...

Little H I hope your night was good.
I'm wondering how DS's night is going to be

sheep school

have fun in paris and good luck TTC P

Hello everyone!!

GF Good luck tonight, thinking of you!! Let us know. Stay strong..the result is worth it. You will all be knackered, but 48 hrs from now it WILL be easier.
DD is much happier now.

IC Getting any sleep? It is hell.

Chinook Hope DS is less bunged up?

CC Happy Thanksgiving!! Enjoy the long weekend.

Mamaloco Hope DD1 is still on the mend.

ExtremeleyC & Sunnybump Hope your DCs are getting over their colds. I feel for LOs as they cant blow their noses and they HATE them being wiped!! DD seems to have a permanant runny nose at the mo.

Abs Hope your doggy behaves and enjoy Paris!! Lol at billingual dogs!

DD went through again last night. I did hear her at 3am but she went back to sleep after a very short cry. So for last 2 nights I have not had to get out of bed. AAAhhh bliss. She woke at 5.50am, and went off in seconds tonight. Hooray!
Been trying to feed her up as well. Hopefully the weight loss is a short lived blip.

Oh and today she has learned to clap!! So cute!

Thanks little I'm notdoing sleep training yet. It's planned for next weekend. Thanks for your advices on the sleep thread!

Already in bed in order to give rest to my sciatica. Luckily I can take strong painkillers.

Good night

Had a dreadful night last night but got him down really quickly for 7.15.

I think we got to the stage where we were taking him out of his cot too readily so going to leave him in there, with reassurances of course, until morning.

Have read all the thread but don't think I can reply to everyone individually.

AbsB I love Catalan sheepdogs. They have such sweet faces. DH and I had a conversation about them once and decided that if they could talk they would say "scroffle" because they look like scroffley dogs. I understand that this may make no sense to anyone and mark me as a nutbag, but... Is Pablo named after Picasso? I do hope he gets off.

Chinook Good to hear from you, sorry about DS's constipation though. How did the costume come out?

Mamaloco Hope computer gets fixed soon. We miss you.

Scones Poor you about the food strike. I feel like that about sleep - that he picks up on my stress and it's this kind of negative feedback loop.

LBH So impressed and a bit about your change of fortunes sleep-wise.

GF Sorry about the sciatica. Hope you get some rest.

My DH is out tonight, doing some music round-table discussion at an arts festival (he is a music journalist) so I have the downstairs to myself and I'm having a nice glass of sherry and hoping that DS doesn't wake up.

Here is a short video of him today www.flickr.com/photos/26339121@N00/5190178010/

sorry should have clearer, thanksgiving is next weekend, so looks like we'll be trying some sleep training same time as GF

Hope you're feeling better GF

How are all the back to work people finding things?

awww bc that's great and love the floor mat

CC I've been back to work since mid June and most of the time I'm fine there (I actualky like my job) but I would be very happy to do it part time in order tovspend more time with DS and do more activities with him. I would like to get more details (especially about wages and annual leave but I don't want HR and my supervisor to think I want to leave ). Also some mornings it is hard toleabe him to nursery but I know he enjoys it and it's good for him tobe with others children.

I love my ipod touch and wifi as I can post from my bed

BC THAT IS SO CUUUUUUUUUUTE!!!!! ADORABLE! He is so mobile. Wow! I love him! Where did you get that floor mat??

"Scroffle". Absolutely "Scroffle" ... I call him my Whiskery Whiffle Dog.... that makes me a nutbag too! Yes, Pablo after Picasso and Neruda... cultured dog... well, WAS! He's now a philistine...

So, your DH is a music journalist... who/what does he write for? or is he freelance?

Thanks Littlebear, I am very impressed with your sleeping... does make one think You were very brave and it paid off!

Need to go and have dinner now but more later.

bear cute video!! I can't get a decent one of dd2 because she stops whatever she is doing and tries to eat the camcorder... Oh, and I have no idea how to post videos either

DS slept until7 this morning but was hard to resettle between 12.30 and 2am.

bc soo cute.

Hi all am trying to post my first ever video of my DD Isla... see if this works

www.flickr.com/photos/56114822@N06/

Think it works..

Not the best video but the others I have are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long!!

We are slumming it today and having a pj day as DP is at work and I have nowhere to be today.

DD has got a chesty cough and has woken early from her 1st nap. Already I am panicking about lunchtime nap and tonight!!

Aww Little she is very cute and pretty. I love her mouse shoes. Nice tortie cat too. What's her name? We have a tabby called Missy.

AbsB Glad you understand the Scroffle! DH is freelance, he writes mainly for Wire, Mixmag and Word but he does the odd thing elsewhere. There's a few of his things online, here's one www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jun/17/rock-rehab-pete-doherty-john-grant

The jigsaw mat is from John Lewis, £32. www.johnlewis.com/230474099/Product.aspx

Not too bad last night. Was inspired by LBH and did CC properly a la Ferber - you know, 5 mins then ten then every 15 (no longer than 15) and it worked pretty well. Fed him at 4 and actually had to wake him up myself at 7am.

Did same for morning nap. Took 45 mins. Has now been asleep for an hour so DH is going to get him up.

GF How is your sciatica today?

Oh, I finished the treasure basket. Will post a pic later.

Thanks C!!
The cat..well she is my big dopey long haired Persian called Ruby. DD loves to chase her and Ruby has to jump up out of her reach otherwise DD will grab a handful of her fur. Poor Ruby!!

Well done on the CC!

Gorgeous DCs, crumble and LittleH! DD and I watched them gooey-eyed together...

Aw, GF, how horrid. I hope the sciatica eases off soon.

More CC... hmmm...I'm thinking of doing it for naps if nothing else will get her sleeping in her cot, although not sure if I can stand it yet... how's it gone with naps for you two s?

DD's taken to waking up crying 30mins after lights out, not sure why but possibly I'm not putting her down sufficiently awake. She then cuddles back to sleep okay and the rest of the night goes as usual (2 wake-ups last night, both resettled after a feed, then up for the day at 07.30)... Ah well. It kind of doesn't count because I'm still up at that time, but I don't want it to become a habit...

My sciatica is well here and spending my time seated on the floor next to DS is I guess, not helping.

We're just back from a trip to A&E as DS reached a temperature of 39C. The doctor said that there's nothing to worry about, he is teething (2 more are coming out) and has a viral infection (which is probably why he has a blocked nose). So he has to take calpol, ibuprofen (one every 4 hours) and some nose drops. My poor baby is completely grumpy, quiet and sleepy; I'm not use to that